Road Trip! Mission Ruins

We had a holiday here in Brazil and I wanted to go somewhere for a day trip. It's not the easiest to find someplace like that here. However, if you drive 2 hours, there are some amazing ruins of some Jesuit and Guaranese (native Indians) missions. 

Basically, Spain and Portugual sent some Jesuits to the Americas in the 1600's to convert the Indians to Catholicism.  The Jesuits and the Indians created many communities and over a period of roughly 150 years became very strong with over 100,000 people! There were 30+ communities in present day Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. The Church as well as Spain and Portugal became concerned that the Jesuit missions were becoming too strong and operating independently.

The  Treaty of Madrid was signed in 1750 where these areas (Brazilian) were handed over to the Portuguese.  Basically, the Indians and Jesuits were also to abandon their homes (the missions) and move across the river. They didn't want to leave their homes (do you blame them?!). As a result, the Portuguese came to take "slaves" (the Indians) and in the process, the Guarani Indians revolted. There was war, death, etc. and the missions were set on fire and razed to the ground!

They have some ruins/remains which are now a protected historical site. They are amazing since they were basically small communities and housed over 3,000 people at one time! 

If you watch the movie, " The Mission"  with Roberto DeNiro, you'll get a better understanding of the story. 

Enjoy!

Um abraco,

Mollie